The Value of Travel

It's been said that those who travel will change the world.  Actually, wait.... no one ever said that (or at least not to my knowledge, anyway).  But I suppose it's still true in some sense.

And this is sure: travel will definitely change you.

I've had the opportunity of traveling to many different countries throughout my lifetime.  I spent the last four years living in Mainland China and currently reside in Hong Kong.  After finding so much value in my experience abroad, I stayed.

 

Here are two posts I wrote regarding my time in the Mainland.  They are separated by four years of time and are each special for different reasons. The first speaks of initial impressions and the latter of personal reflections.

Adventures In China // Whispers From China

When it comes to travel, people usually tell me why they don't do it... the most popular reason being finances.  But in my experience, there are ways to travel cheap (even when it comes to flights).  For example, I once traveled from China to the Philippines for a dollar and only paid the tax ($60.00USD).  Another time, I traveled from America to China for only $350.00USD.

I promise you that good deals are available to you as well!

 

And yes, airfare will probably be the most costly part of your trip.   But you can't afford to let money keep you from the invaluable experience of exploration.  Simply, look for ways to save and start saving for a trip now.  Or do what I did and move to a country of interest.

My employer paid for my airfare! (and much more)

Here's something I quickly realized about Asia... once you're here, it's much, much cheaper to travel between countries.  So if you want to see a lot in a short time, come to Asia.  During my time in China, I visited 3-4 countries every winter.  And for two months of travel time, I always spent between $1,500-$2,000USD.

It's a sad thing when finances come between a person

and the potential of a great adventure!  

Here's why...

Throughout my journeys, I've learned so much about different cultures and the people within them.  I've eaten some of the best foods I've ever tasted.  I've had some of the most meaningful conversations on breezy beach-fronts and warmly lit patios.  I've discovered how much I enjoy overnight bus rides and getting all snuggled into the little bed-seat-things.  I've swam in some of the clearest of waters I've ever seen.  I've witnessed joy on the faces of those living in devastating poverty.  I've slept in crazy degrees of heat and soaking wet on cold mountain tops.  I've seen rampant prostitution and the foreigners who pay for it.  And I was even in a motorcycle accident once...

(Sorry about that, Sunneye!)

I've met people who saved lives during Typhoon Yolanda and saw the mass graves it left behind.  I've created musical compositions on wavy boats rides with luggage and passengers falling into the aisles.  I once chased an octopus through the ocean and witnessed it transform instantly in color from sandy-brown to black.

I've made some new friends like Sönke, here.

After arriving home from a trip to Haiti, I laid on my bed and began to sob uncontrollably.  It was overwhelming to think about the tin shacks my new found friends were sleeping compared to what I had.  In that moment, if I could've switched places with even one of them, I actually would have instantly.  The desire passed through my mind as the tears continued to come.  I did my best to embrace the moment and allowed it to sink in.

For me, it was a way of not letting their difficulties go on forgotten.

I remember being in the capital city of Cambodia during the funeral of their king.  We found ourselves outside his palace as masses of locals meandered through the streets.  Another time, I caught a fish right from the ocean with my bare hand and, in an attempt to surprise a friend, swallowed it whole right in front of her (it worked).  I feasted upon a Stone Fish once as well, which is the most venomous fish known to man.  And then there was the time I clung to the shell of a giant sea turtle and together, we descended downward into the sea.  One time, I even stood face-to-face with a bear in the wild.  It was on its hind legs looking at me and then suddenly began to storm through the brush.  I honesty thought it was coming for me and began to fumble over my bear-spray.

(I quickly learned that you gotta have that kind of thing ready!)

I've repelled down waterfalls.  I've explored giant caves.  I was once in a semi-dangerous kayaking situation in the ocean with waves and rocks and jellyfish all around.  Another time, a monkey jumped onto my back and I wasn't sure if I should try getting it off or not (I didn't).  During an intense rafting trip through the Indonesian jungle, a crazy storm suddenly broke out with a torrential downpour of rain.  Lightening began to shoot all around us and the thunder was so powerful you could feel it.

After Hurricane Katrina had struck in '05, I joined up with a team in an effort to bring relief to the survivors.  I remember wandering off one day and found the sea.  I stood at its shoreline.  It was so quiet that it became eerie.  There were no birds in the sky or rustling winds; no children at play or signs of life.  A gloomy darkness had settled in on the horizon as the tides seemed to ebb and flow with sadness.  As I observed the movement of the water, I thought of those who'd been swept out to sea, never to be seen again.  I wanted to feel their terror.  I wanted to know the pain their loved ones felt.  I wanted them to be free.

I suppose, really, I just didn't want it all to have been for nothing.

Shoes and other belongings were scattered up and down the shoreline as well.  I considered the lives that once interacted with them and it all seemed so temporal.  My eyes began to wander to and fro along the once happy beachfront and were soon fell on something else entirely.  There at my feet was a bone nestled into the sand.  It was out of place much like everything around it, and alone.

Was it human? I wondered.  Was it from someone's supper the eve of the disaster?  Or was it just a dog-bone from the local pet-shop, on sale for a $1.99 and then... not?  I would never know.

All I knew was that the shoreline was now its new home.

I could go on and on with stories like this, but here's what I'm getting at...

You really don't know what you're going to encounter as you venture into the unknown.
But the journey is full of wildly wonderful potential and could change your life.

And lastly, I wanted to share a secret with you...
something I've learned in all of my travels.

If you travel solely for the sake of travel - for what you can get out of it - you'll most likely return home feeling tired and maybe even a little disappointed.  But if you can shift the focus of your journey and care for others along the way, you'll return feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.  It's funny how that works!

So what are you waiting for?

Go and experience it for yourself!

But before you do, check out this video first.

Some friends and I traveled throughout Vietnam and this is what happened!

My Stamps

Israel, Jamaica, Thailand, Singapore, Haiti, Korea, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Mexico, Malaysia, Vietnam, Canada, Hong Kong, Macau, The Bahamas, Cambodia, Tibet, Indonesia, China.

More to read... 

A Discovery In China // Distant Lands

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I Can Do That In My Sleep: The Dog-Man

If we equated sleepwalking to acting, I'd be one of the most versatile sleepwalkers there ever was.  This next story demonstrates the vastness of my far-reaching abilities.

Denzel ain't got nothin' on me.

T H E  D O G  M A N

After the Gummy Bear story (click here if you haven't read it yet), it didn't take long for news of my sleepwalking to circulate among the community in Colorado.  The stories were funny and they were fun to tell.  But while they were growing in number, very few of them captured an audiences attention like this next one.

We were running a youth camp in the mountains and slept a hundred or so people in two giant tents.  One was a circus tent and the other was for weddings. (And no, there was no special symbolism between the tents and our camp... I don't think.  Actually, wait until the story's over and decide for yourself.)

I ended up in the circus tent.

Separating the guys and the girls, we packed in about fifty people into each tent.  And at night with everyone asleep, it was quite challenging maneuvering around all of the bodies and bags and cots and shoes and phones and whatever else high school students packed around.  There wasn't much of an order to where people slept or how they positioned themselves.

(Okay, maybe the guys tent was a bit circus-like.)

So if you needed to use the restroom or something, it wasn't at all easy getting around everyone without either hurting them or tripping over their stuff (and then hurting them).

And that was with a flashlight in hand!

But none of that mattered now.  Night had fallen and my performance for Best Sleepwalker was well underway.  This was the night I'd take home the gold.  The stage was set.  I straightened out my tie and gave my jacket a good tug.

I was ready to leave my mark.

Opening my eyes, I stood to my feet.  And for the effect of it all, and to leave the best, possible impression on the judges, I left my flashlight behind.  I would go it alone.  So there I was, gazing out over a dark, chaotic sea of body parts and disorganization.  But I wasn't sure just yet what I should do.  And that was when my eyes found the one person in the tent who could secure my running for Best Sleepwalker...

The leader of the camp, Stan Pawkins.

The only problem was, he was at the other end of the tent!  And that meant that everyone was now at the mercy of a sleepwalker - a professional sleepwalker, but still.  I soon found myself stepping over faces and nearly crushing electronics.  I tip-toed over this and inched around that.  And like a pro, I neither tripped over cable or sleeping bag, backpack or the occasional wandering arm.  It was flawless.  And let me just say this...

Nothing could stop what was coming.

As I neared Stan's cot, I cleared my throat and tried out a few of the animal sounds I knew.  For whatever reason, it seemed like a good direction to take the performance.  I wasn't quite sure which one to use, but since I was good at thinking on my feet, I figured it didn't matter.  And you should know, I've always had a thing for animal noises... and my chimpanzee isn't all that bad!  But a hollering monkey seemed a bit dramatic for this event.  I needed something a bit more likeable.

Like this little guy...

So I found Stan's cot and knelt down beside his sleeping body.  At first, I just watched him for a bit, staring into his restful face.  He slept like a baby.  I can't recall how long this went on for, but I'm sure I took my time.  Next, I positioned my face near his and, opening my mouth, sort of just went with the moment.  The next thing I knew, I was making dog noises into his ear!  And since everything was riding on this moment, I really gave it my all, panting away like a thirsty Old Yeller.  It was beautiful.

I had never felt so alive.

Awaiting my 'that a boy!' or, at the very least, a nice pat on the head, I panted on like there was no tomorrow.  But then I realized something... Stan didn't like dogs.  He just sort of freaked out and got intense with me!  But I didn't allow this to discourage the performance.  Best Sleepwalker was still on the line and I used this to my advantage.

I stopped panting and put my tail between my legs.  Slowly rising to my feet, I walked away like the saddest creature in the world.  I figured I'd at least show off my crazy sleepwalking-over-people skills (and maybe make him feel bad... or jealous).  Before his very eyes, I traversed once more over the sea of bodies, climbed back into my sleeping bag, and continued sleeping.

And my noteworthy performance was over.

The next morning, I was left wondering what might've happened had
Stan and I slept in the wedding tent...

I guess we'll never know.

Quick Bonus Story: On another occasion, Stan and I - and a few others - were staying at his sisters house in Missouri.  I was on the floor next to Stan and he was in the bed above me.  Someone else was in the bed with him and the other two were on the floor as well.  Well, not long after I had fallen asleep, I guess I sort of flipped up from my back and onto all fours and was staring at Stan from the bedside.  It really freaked him out and he and the other guy weren't sure what might happen next.  But thankfully for them, nothing else transpired and I soon laid back down!

<Sleepwalking Adventure #4 
<Sleepwalking Adventure #1

Mystery Post!

 

Note: A "Mystery Post" is a post selected totally at random.  There's a lot to explore on this blog & this is a fun way to do it!  Enjoy!

 

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I Can Do That In My Sleep: Just A Gummy Bear

It was inevitable.  The day was coming that I'd head off into the real world and unleash the sleepwalker on new and unsuspecting friendships.  And once it had, it was here, and it was here to stay.

These are the events that followed.

J U S T  A  G U M M Y  B E A R

When I first left home, I was seventeen years old and wonderfully curious about the world.  In many ways, life was at its peak and everything was an adventure.  And I'm thankful to say that the fun hasn't yet ended. (Click here if life has become a bit colorless for you.  I have some thoughts about that.)

My journey began in Colorado, and as I write the words, I'm tempted to quote the great Lloyd Christmas, but I won't.  Nevertheless, the Rocky Mountains were, indeed, rocky.  Beauty was in abundance and I was as ignorant as a young adult could be... but I didn't know that.

On a quick side-note, if you ever get the chance to visit the state, consider climbing Pikes Peak!  It won't let you down.  And ask the locals about the old railroad tracks in Manitou Springs.  There's a great hike there as well!

So I had made my way to Colorado Springs and joined a group of like-minded people doing some great work.  We were called "theFurnace" and I never asked why there wasn't a space in between the two words.  But to this day, I feel a little insecure when I write it out, thinking that the reader will assume I didn't catch the mistake.

Thanks, guys! ;)

During my first year in the Springs, I lived with a wonderful family, who hosted my stay.  We'll call them the Smith's for this post.  The Smith's were great and two of their sons, Stephen and Devin, were also in the Furnace (I write it this way, too, sometimes because it makes me feel less anxious).

Stephen and I shared a room and for whatever reason, I forgot to tell him about my sleepwalking.  It was an innocent mistake and ended up making for quite the introduction when just a few days into my stay, things got a little crazy.

I don't think he'll ever forget this story...

So it's the middle of the night and we're both in a deep sleep.  Stephen awakes to a sound in the room and something patting on the bed/touching his feet.  Using his cellphone as a light, he points it towards the end of the bed and finds me standing there.

And know this: if Stephen wanted to leave the room, he'd need to pass by me first.  In a sense, I was blocking his way.  So there I stood and I'm using my hands to pat around at the foot of his bed.  But that wasn't all!  Apparently, I had something to say as well.

"There's a demon!" I exclaimed, pointing towards a desk in the corner.

Now realizing the seriousness of the situation, Stephen began to scurry around in his bed, hoping to find that perfect position for... encountering demons, I guess.   

Wait, what was it again?

Try putting yourself in his shoes for a second.  Can imagine how intense this must have been for him?  I mean, for all he knew, this new roommate of his had the ability to see demons in the middle of the night, had seen one, and wanted to tell him about it (in a loud voice).  It was a lot to take in and the sense of urgency didn't help, either (because there was a demon in the room and it was there now).

So there he was, pointing his phone all around the room in search of some mysterious force.  And the poor guy doesn't even know that I sleepwalk yet!  But it gets better.  A moment later, I casually turn away and start walking towards my bed.

"Oh never mind," I say.  "It was just a gummy bear.  We eat those in theFurnace." 

(And believe it or not, I even said it without the space in between the two words.)

I then get back into my bed - still asleep - and nestle in.  But Stephen's wide awake and his adrenaline's pumping.  Is there a demon or isn't there?  And was it really just a gummy bear or - wait, what am I saying??  That's ridiculous!  Who is this guy and why's he in my room?!

I remained unresponsive as Stephen struggled to make sense of it all...
(Or to fall back asleep.)

Quick Bonus Story: One night, Stephen's girlfriend was over and they were in the living room.  I had already fallen asleep and began to sleepwalk.  But the thing was, I was in an angry stupor and pacing all around the bedroom.  It actually freaked them out, and especially his girlfriend (now wife).  I remember waking up and seeing them staring at me from the hallway.  I felt embarrassed and didn't tell them that I had woken up.

I just went back to bed.

<Sleepwalking Adventure #3  

   Sleepwalking Adventure #5>

Mystery Post!

Note: A "Mystery Post" is a post selected totally at random.  There's a lot to explore on this blog & this is a fun way to do it!  Enjoy!

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I Can Do That In My Sleep: Man In The House

Growing up, my sister, Whitney, got a front row seat to all that is sleepwalking.  Her and I each had bedrooms in the upstairs of our old farmhouse, and with the isolation of the countryside, nightfall was especially creepy for a young girl.  But to make matters worse, I'd often stand outside of her bedroom door and talk to people who weren't really there.

And then this happened.

Bless her soul...

M A N  I N  T H E  H O U S E

To set the scene a bit, we had experienced some unusual things at that house over the years.  A man once came onto our property in the middle of the night, drunk, and banging on our front door.  He made a great ruckus and wouldn't leave.  Another night, a mountain lion showed up wanting to feed our dogs to her cubs.  This was the first and only time I've heard the eerie screams they can make.  Then another time, we found that someone had been sleeping in our barn... a place that I often slept.  Blankets had been left behind and we wondered if they'd ever return.  And then probably worst of all, we arrived home once to find our back door kicked in and our German Shepherd, Bear, out in the front yard.  He had escaped from his enclosure and let's just say this...

Nothing Had Been Stolen From The House!

That's him

With all that in mind, one night, Whitney and I had decided to sleep on the couch downstairs.  We had one of those L-shaped sofas and it fit us comfortably.  This was our living room and that's the couch...

And not to get all Inception on you, but here's a quick story within a story.  Do you see the stairs in that picture?  Well, these are the stairs that led to our bedrooms.  And since time was of the essence, I'd often skip a stair with each step when I'd take them.  Our parents bedroom closet was beneath the stairs and as creaky as they were, it was difficult to use them without making a lot of noise.

This was their bedroom, the closet, and two of Bear's offspring, Wyatt & Lexy!

Well, one night, as my parents slept, they heard something fly down the stairs.  My father went out to see what was going on.  He found me in the middle of the room, just standing there, and told me to go back to bed.  I did as he said.  But this is crazy because it's likely that I had actually skipped a stair with each step and ran down them... in my sleep... possibly making me the world's first sleep-runner!  But either way, I had successfully used the stairs while sleeping, which is still quite impressive!

And speaking of these stairs, and the window there in the picture, I recently wrote about one of my fondest memories from this house, which they helped create.

You can find it here.

So Back To The Main Event!

Whitney and I were now fast asleep on the L-shaped couch downstairs.  The moon was high and the critters were out.  It was late into the night when she awoke to a strange figure hovering over her.  Without hesitation, she went on the attack and slapped the figure in the face...

... twice!

I would know as it was I who stood over her and whose face now stung with pain.  So there we both were, terror-stricken in the moonlight.  Whitney was screaming and I was crying.  It didn't take long for my father to emerge like a warrior, ready to slaughter whoever it was that was causing us trouble!  However, he didn't exactly think twice about what he was - or wasn't - wearing.

And for good reason!

(I'm not sure what his excuse was here, though...)

Upon realizing that no one was in the house, he turned back for some clothing as my mother came to comfort us.  Soon after, my father reemerged in a rob and took a look around the house in case someone had, in fact, broke in.  But he would find no one as it was I and only I who had instigated all the chaos.

And that was that.

Now I know what you must be thinking... My Poor Sister!  And yes, she's been through a lot.  But while she's endured bits and pieces of my sleepwalking, I'm not sure that her troubles quite compare to mine.

But who's counting?

<Sleepwalking Adventure #2   

  Sleepwalking Adventure #4>

Mystery Post!

Note: A "Mystery Post" is a post selected totally at random.  There's a lot to explore on this blog & this is a fun way to do it!  Enjoy!

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